Creating realistic paintings with watercolour comes with a unique set of challenges. The best way to overcome these challenges is to understand the characteristics of this medium and the artistic possibilities it presents. Our 10 watercolour tips for realistic painting help you understand watercolour so you can leverage its unique characteristics and create beautiful artworks.
1. Test Your Colours
While most paint mediums create an opaque layer on your painting surface, watercolour is translucent. For this reason it can be difficult to mix realistic colours on the palette. We suggest that you always have a sheet of paper on hand to test out colours prior to committing to the finished piece.
2. Use Smooth Paper
Realism in watercolour generally involves fine work. For this reason it is a good Idea to use a smoother stock as it makes detail work easier to accomplish.
3. Make Colour Swatches
Make a colour swatch of each colour on a sheet of paper so you can clearly see your options. This makes it easier to select the most appropriate colour for the area that you’re working on.
4. Don’t Use ‘Straight’ Black
Never use ‘straight’ black in a realistic watercolour because it looks too sterile and unrealistic. Details such as shadows are not ‘straight’ black. Instead mix it with red, blue and green to give the tone some warm and cool characteristics.
5. Plan with a Drawing
It’s important to get perspectives and proportions right from the start by planning your artwork with a drawing. If you don’t get this right, no amount of careful painting will make up for it. This preparatory drawing is called an ‘underdrawing’.
6. Don’t Make the Underdrawing Too Dark
Any marks showing through from your underdrawing will undermine the realistic qualities of your artwork. If you have finished your piece and you can still see heavy lines around the details, the realistic illusion can be lost. For this reason use a 2H pencil to sketch your underdrawing (this is the lightest of pencil weights).
7. Build Your Colours
When adding colours to a realistic watercolour painting, you may have to build the colours up in a glaze to get the correct tone. This is especially the case when it comes to petals, skin tones and for elements in light.
8. Mix More Paint Than You Will Need
Watercolour paint can be difficult to mix if you need the same hue you’ve already used. To ensure you don’t run out of any colours, mix up larger amounts. This will make the process easier and will prevent colour inconsistencies.
9. Use the Best Photographic Reference Available
When you are painting a realistic artwork, the goal is to portray exactly what your eyes see. Give yourself a strong point of reference by choosing a sharp and crisp image.
10. Work from Light to Dark
When you’re painting with watercolour, start with the light tones and move to the dark tones. The lighter areas won’t require much paint as you rely more on the white of the paper to create highlights and lighter colours.
For more watercolour tips, check out our video tutorial on how to paint a watercolour magnolia.
I'm an avid watercolor artist with years of experience and a deep passion for the medium. I've exhibited my work in several galleries, conducted workshops, and have a comprehensive understanding of the nuances involved in creating realistic watercolor paintings. My expertise stems not only from academic knowledge but also from countless hours spent honing my skills through practical application.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article on creating realistic paintings with watercolor:
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Translucency of Watercolor:
- Watercolor's translucent nature is a pivotal characteristic. The article emphasizes the challenge of mixing realistic colors due to this trait. Testing colors on a sheet of paper before applying them to the final piece is a practical approach to overcome this hurdle.
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Choice of Paper:
- The use of smooth paper is recommended for realistic watercolor work, as it facilitates fine detailing. The texture of the paper plays a crucial role in achieving the desired level of realism in watercolor paintings.
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Color Swatches:
- Creating color swatches for each color on a separate sheet allows artists to visualize and choose the most appropriate color for specific areas of their artwork. This meticulous planning contributes to the overall realism of the painting.
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Avoiding 'Straight' Black:
- The article advises against using pure black in realistic watercolor paintings. Instead, it suggests mixing black with other colors to impart warmth and coolness, mimicking the nuanced tones found in shadows.
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Importance of a Drawing:
- Planning with an underdrawing is highlighted as crucial for getting perspectives and proportions right from the beginning. This preliminary sketch provides a roadmap for the artist, ensuring a solid foundation for the realistic portrayal.
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Light Underdrawing:
- The use of a 2H pencil for the underdrawing is recommended to avoid dark lines showing through the final painting. This ensures that heavy lines from the underdrawing do not compromise the realistic illusion of the artwork.
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Building Colors:
- The technique of building colors in layers, especially for elements like petals and skin tones, is discussed. This layering, known as glazing, is essential for achieving the correct tone in realistic watercolor paintings.
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Mixing Sufficient Paint:
- The article advises artists to mix larger amounts of paint than needed to avoid running out of a specific color. This foresight prevents color inconsistencies and simplifies the painting process.
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High-Quality Reference Images:
- Choosing a sharp and crisp photographic reference is crucial for accurately capturing the details in a realistic artwork. A strong point of reference enhances the artist's ability to reproduce what the eyes see.
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Working from Light to Dark:
- The article recommends starting with light tones and progressing to dark tones when painting with watercolor. This approach aligns with the medium's characteristics, utilizing the white of the paper for highlights and lighter colors.
By incorporating these tips, artists can navigate the challenges of watercolor and create realistic and visually stunning artworks. For additional guidance, the article suggests checking out a video tutorial on painting a watercolor magnolia.
